Fall is upon us. But, there are still many more weeks of growing season and more Friday afternoon markets.

You can expect to see selections at the market change from hot weather crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant to cooler weather crops like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Sweet pumpkins for cooking along with other squashes like butternut and acorn are already at the market. And, you can still find an abundance of green beans, onions, leafy greens, beets, corn, and other tasty veggies.

Fruits are still plentiful as well. Berry season has passed but pitted fruits like peaches, plums and nectarines are still being offered. And tree fruits like apples and pears are at peak right now. Both cooking and eating varieties are plentiful.

Many people associate back to school and the end of summer activities with the end of farmers markets and farm stands. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Most local farms are still in full out growing and harvest mode. This is a perfect time to embrace a change in eating along with the change in season. Shifting your recipes and eating into alignment with the seasonal change in crops is the embodiment of seasonal eating. It’s believed by many to be a very healthy and sustainable practice. Our bodies experience subtle shifts along with the change in temperatures and the decreased sunlight just as the crops do. Following along with the cues that Mother Nature gives us is a great practice.

A trip to the marking this time of year can also be another great teaching opportunity. Kids get so caught up in school work, afterschool activities, sports and electronics, that they can become disconnected from nature and their surroundings. And, lots of children take their cues of seasonal changes based on what holiday is marketing to them and miss the changes in nature. Let’s face it; the same thing happens to us adults too! Tuning into the seasonal changes around us can help both kids and grownups stay grounded and connected to our common environment.

The market runs through the end of October, so there's still plenty of time to enjoy the bounty of the Fall harvest, to reconnect with nature, the seasons and your community and to benefit from shopping at a local farmers' market.

About Sharon A. SeeI hope you find these suggestions helpful. And if you’d like some customized strategies for you and your family, please reach out to me. Or, if you have farmers’ market or healthy eating related topics you’d like to hear more about or questions you’d like answered, please feel free to let me know. You will find my contact information below.​Sharon A. SeeCertified Holistic Health CoachVitalized WellnessShelton, CTYou can find me and other interesting articles, resources, and recipes on my website at www.vitalizedwellness.com.